Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-03-31
The COMMISSION.

Fray-An Avalanche of Correspondence
Ready to Fall
WAsHINGToN, March A.-The personnel
of the Interstate Commerce Commission
is the chief topic of conversation here.
and, as general thing. the composition
of the commission seems to give satisfac-
ton. The high character, competence
and special fitness of the five gentlemen
for the work before them, is generally ad-
mitted, and is considered ample COM
pensation for The long delay in appointing
them, and the President is freely credited
with having brought one on the most diff
ficult tasks he has yet encountered to a
overy gratifying and successful conclusion.
The Critic, in this connection, while
commenting editorialy on the composition
of the commission, doubtless reflects the
opinion of fair minded men of all parties
in saying: ''The President has done wise
ly, as matter of self-defcnse, in select
ing commits sioners on the basis Of merit,
and thus relieving himself of RESPONSE
bIlity in greater degree than he could
have done by appointments based In
greater degree upon political or personal
considerations"
The organization OF the Commission Is
the next thing looked for. The commits
sions of the m elnbers were signed by the
President yesterday, and We're ready to
DE sent to them. and il is expected they
NSill meet in Washington in n few days
and organize and get ready for the delicate
and difficult duties before them, and
which will begin on the 5th of next month,
the date on which the Interstate Com
merce law goes into effect.
Four of the commissioners are at their
homes and will require some time to close
up their p resent business affairs. Colonel
Morrison, who is in Washington, desires
to return to his home and settle up some
personal matters. The delay on the part
of the commissioners in getting together
and organizing is not as serious as the
delay which, it is feared, will grow out OF
the selection of quarters and clerks, and
the performance of vast amount OF
CORES pondence before the commission
can take intelligent action on any of the
problems that are sure to be thrust upon
it, The gravest and most fundamental
questions have arisen under the new law,
and upon these it is of the utmost import
ance that the commission should clearly
define it's position before proceeding with
the work. Two members of the com mis-
sion, at least, have probabl as yet given
very little attention to these questions.
The questions referred to are of the most
radical character. In the first place, it is
disputed whether the law applies TO ship
ments made from one point to another
within a State, or only to those from
One State TO another. The con-
steuction % the clause ''under
like circumstances and condition s, :"
the clause in reference to long and short
hauls, and other phrases used in tue act,
and provisions made by it, are so various
~ construed by constitutional lawyers,
that one construction would reduce the
effects OF the new law 70 the moss unim-
portant character, while another would
lead to q complete reversal OF commercial
conditions and transportation methods,
and affect every branch of trade and every
int OF hrOr hnt hn Init al tat
WhASit Is generally believed that the
Comm s ION is so constituted as to secure
conservative rulings on these questions,
il is conceded that many points of vast
importance are in doubt.
The bill uppropriates 800, 600 for ali ex-
year OF its existence, while other expenses
.ncidenta2 to it.are Go be met out of other
appropriations FOR the Interior Depart
cnent and the courts.
The salaries OF five commissioners al
81, 500 each, and Of the secretary at $500,
and. other stipulated expenses, leaves
about S5d 000 to be exX<nded for assist
ance, clerical service, etc. This repre-
sents large clerical and Official force, to
be appointed in such manner at such
rates and for such duties as the commits
Saon sees fit, but subject in every case to
the approval OF the Secretary OF the In
terror. A large and important bureau will
DC organized
Rnformation has been received that
thousands OF communications, queries,
complaints, etc, are ready to pour in upon
the commits sion whenever it IS ready to
receive them. A gentleman we'll qualified
to speak, recently told the President that
n house full of such documents was ready
for mailing as soon as the commission or
gauiZed
Mr.. Morrison says that he hopes and
expects the other commissioners will.
reach W as hiRgtoa in a day two, so
they can organize and get ready for work
, ms soon as pess IDLE. He could not, OF
Geurse, in advance of meeting his col
leagues, with certainty say what Ques-
taons would first engage the attention of
the commission. The disputed law ques-
taons would prDbably be taken up at once,
and as an IN ter probation was reached and
agreed upon in each case, it would be pub
lieay announced. Mr.. Morrison spoke con-
. fidently of the beneficent results that
would grow out of the enforcement Of
the new law, ant If the other members of
the commission, when they reach Wash
fngton, are as eager for the fray as he APP
pears to be, it will not be many DAYS be-
fore the commission will be hard at
work.
Senator EdmuuGs in an interview spoke
highly of Mr.. Walker, the Vermont mem
Der OF the comm!Ss ion, whom, he said, he
knew thoroughly. Mr.. Walker. he said,
pas had considerable experience as Ii
State Legislator, in dealing with railroad
questions. He was a man of extraordi-
nary aSTity, n fine scholar, a man of liz
erary Attachments, vigorous, industrious
and honest, AL the way through aud
a strong man in every respect. When
questioned about the report that M
Walker Uras appoiEted upon Mr. Ed
munds' recommendation, the Vermont
Senator REALIZED: II d0sl't recommend any
body. sometimes give testimony as to
the fitness Of people for public duties, but
Zdon't recOaamend."
The Pate of K. s. Boyd.